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Tabla de Contenido/ Table of Contents
- 1 An Unstoppable Miami-Dade Like Dubai or Las Vegas?
- 2 The Case of DELEON CASINO: An Opportunity or a Game of Influence?
- 3 The Current State of Gaming in Miami-Dade and Florida
- 4 Advantages of Casinos in Miami-Dade
- 5 Risks and Controversies
- 6 Key Players and Controversial Decisions
- 7 Conclusion: Who Really Benefits from Gaming Expansion?
An Unstoppable Miami-Dade Like Dubai or Las Vegas?
The expansion of casinos in Miami-Dade and the state of Florida is shaping the county’s future as a global hub for entertainment and luxury. Projects like DELEON CASINO, announced as Miami Beach’s first legal casino, promise to transform iconic areas like Lincoln Road. However, the involvement of external actors such as Mile High Gaming & Entertainment, alongside the exclusion of local entrepreneurs from similar initiatives, raises critical questions about who truly benefits from this development model.
The Case of DELEON CASINO: An Opportunity or a Game of Influence?
Although information about DELEON CASINO remains limited, it is known that Mile High Gaming & Entertainment, a Denver-based company, is the principal owner and developer of the project. Mile High Gaming operates casinos in other states, including Colorado and Mississippi, and now seeks to enter Miami Beach’s competitive market.
Why an Out-of-State Company Over Local Entrepreneurs?
The announcement of DELEON CASINO has sparked controversy among local business leaders and residents, who have spent years lobbying for permissions to develop similar projects in Miami Beach. This context raises several important questions:
- Why is an out-of-state company like Mile High Gaming favored while local entrepreneurs face regulatory and political roadblocks?
- What economic and political interests are driving the approval of this specific project?
- How does this align with the narrative of economic justice and support for local businesses in Miami-Dade?
Historically, developers like Jeffrey Soffer, owner of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and other prominent local figures have faced repeated rejections when seeking licenses to open casinos in the area. The key question is: What has changed to make an external project viable now?
The Current State of Gaming in Miami-Dade and Florida
Casinos Operating in Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade has several well-established casinos:
- Magic City Casino: Known for Las Vegas-style slot machines, poker tables, and jai-alai.
- Casino Miami: Offers over 1,000 slot machines and electronic table games.
- Hialeah Park Racing & Casino: Combines live horse racing with casino games like poker, blackjack, and slot machines.
- Miccosukee Casino & Resort: Operated by the Miccosukee Tribe, it offers 24/7 gaming, restaurants, and a spa.
Major Casinos Across Florida
Most casinos outside Miami-Dade are operated by the Seminole Tribe, which runs some of the state’s largest and most luxurious establishments:
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Located at 1 Seminole Way, Davie, FL, this iconic destination features a world-class casino, luxury accommodations, and diverse dining options.
- Seminole Casino Coconut Creek Situated at 5550 NW 40th St, Coconut Creek, FL, this casino offers a vibrant gaming experience with a wide array of slot machines, table games, and live poker.
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Located at 5223 North Orient Rd, Tampa, FL, this establishment boasts extensive gaming options, entertainment venues, and fine dining.
- Victory Casino Cruises Departing from 180 Christopher Columbus Drive, Terminal B-2, Port Canaveral, FL, this unique casino experience offers Las Vegas-style gaming aboard a cruise ship.
- Gulfstream Park Casino Found at 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach, FL, this venue combines thoroughbred horse racing with a casino offering a variety of slot machines and table games.
- Harrah’s Pompano Beach Casino Located at 777 N Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL, this casino features over 1,200 slot machines, live poker tables, and a sportsbook app, along with fine dining options.
Advantages of Casinos in Miami-Dade
- Economic Growth
- Creation of local jobs, both directly in the gaming sector and indirectly in hospitality and transportation.
- Increased tax revenues that can be allocated to infrastructure and public services.
- Tourist Appeal
- Projects like DELEON CASINO strengthen Miami’s position as a global destination, attracting high-spending tourists.
- Economic Diversification
- Casinos provide an alternative to traditional tourism and real estate, stabilizing the local economy against market fluctuations.
- Urban Development
- Luxury projects like DELEON CASINO could revitalize iconic areas such as Lincoln Road, integrating entertainment and commerce.
Risks and Controversies
- Social Impacts
- Gambling addiction and financial distress are real risks, especially in vulnerable communities.
- Financial problems related to gambling affect not only individuals but also their families and communities.
- Displacement and Gentrification
- Luxury casino developments can drive up living costs, displacing local residents and small businesses.
- Corruption and Conflicts of Interest
- The involvement of out-of-state companies like Mile High Gaming raises questions about transparency in the approval process.
- The exclusion of local entrepreneurs reinforces perceptions of favoritism and potential backroom deals.
- Economic Dependence
- An economy overly reliant on gaming could become vulnerable to regulatory changes or shifts in tourism trends.
Key Players and Controversial Decisions
Governor Ron DeSantis
In 2021, DeSantis spearheaded a historic agreement with the Seminole Tribe, granting exclusivity in certain gaming operations in exchange for $500 million annually in tax revenue. This deal has been criticized for favoring major operators while excluding local projects.
Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes
The Seminole Tribe dominates Florida’s gaming landscape, while the Miccosukee Tribe maintains its relevance in Miami-Dade. Both tribes are protected by exclusive agreements with the state, limiting competition from other operators.
Excluded Local Entrepreneurs
- Jeffrey Soffer: Owner of Fontainebleau Miami Beach, who has unsuccessfully lobbied for casino licenses.
- Donald Trump: Owner of Trump National Doral Miami, strategically located outside the Seminole Tribe’s exclusivity boundary, raising speculation about future casino plans.
Mile High Gaming & Entertainment
As the primary developer of DELEON CASINO, Mile High Gaming benefits from entering a market historically inaccessible to outside operators. This raises questions about the licensing process and the apparent preference for external companies over local initiatives.
Conclusion: Who Really Benefits from Gaming Expansion?
The entry of external companies like Mile High Gaming into Miami-Dade’s casino landscape, while local entrepreneurs face barriers, highlights a pattern of decisions that prioritize specific interests over community welfare.
If Miami-Dade aspires to become a hybrid of Dubai and Las Vegas, it must do so with transparency and equity, ensuring that economic benefits are not concentrated among a select few but redistributed to strengthen local social and economic structures. The essential question remains: Who truly benefits from this expansion, and at what cost?
